Again does the Naval Institute honor itself in rendering tribute to the memory of one who was both a former president and prize essayist, and known the world over for his distinguished professional attainments and fighting qualities.
In the death of Rear Admiral Wainwright, the Naval Institute has lost one of its staunchest and most active friends. His contributions to the pages of its Proceedings have covered a wide range of professional subjects, beginning as early as 1882 and continuing to a few months ago, his last article having been entitled "The Dacia Dilemma." His article "Tactical Problems in Naval Warfare" was the prize essay in 1895. The years of thought and study spent in the mastery of his profession were no doubt the deciding factors which led to his selection as the first Aide for Operations upon the reorganization of the Navy Department in 1909.
Perhaps the greatest tribute that can be rendered to his memory and which best gives an insight to his character is to quote Theodore Roosevelt when referring to the battle of Santiago: "The most striking act was that of the Gloucester, a converted yacht, which her commander, Wainwright, pushed into the fight through a hail of projectiles, any one of which would have sunk her, in order that he might do his part in destroying the two torpedo boats, each possessing more than his own offensive power."